Dialogue of Arthur and Eliwlod
Arthur
I wonder, seeing I am a bard,
On the top of the oak and its branches on high
What the vision of an eagle, what the illusion.
Eagle
Arthur, who hast attained distant tame
Joy and advantage of thine host,
The eagle heretofore hast thou seen.
Arthur
I wonder at thy station by the side of the wall.
And I will ask of thee in metre
What the illusion, what the vision, of an eagle.
Eagle
Arthur whose fame hath travelled far
And whose host is of gladsome aspect.
The eagle hast thou seen heretofore.
Arthur
Eagle, being on the top of the oak
If thou beest of the race of birds
Thou canst not be either domestic or tame
Eagle
Arthur, gladial portent,
Before whose onset nothing stands.
I am the sott of Madoc son of Uthyr.
Arthur
I know not the kind of the eagle
[As one] that frequents the vales ot Cornwall.
The son of Madoc ap Uthyr liveth not.
Eagle
To meditate unrighteous treason
And conceal your purpose long
Is called complete sin.
Arthur
Eagle, gentle in discourse,
Speak thou without reserve.
What shall enable me to escape?
Eagle
Praying God at every dawn,
And seeking to obtain remission
And asking the aid of the saints.
Arthur
Eagle, not poor of speech,
I will question thee on thy discourse,
Of what sort is the worst that happens to sin.
Eagle
To obtain the long penance infernal,
And get an irrecoverable fell,
And lose God to eternity.
Arthur
Eagle of speech about to depart,
I will ask of thee previously,
Is there a course devoid of hope?
Eagle
Arthur of exalted elocution,
If thou wouldest obtain a share of the world,
With the mighty hope is weak.
Eagle
Arthur of speech both subtle and fierce,
Whose host is of unreproached wrath,
Eliwlod erewhile was I called.
Arthur
Eagle of blameless aspect
And whose discourse is not evil,
Art thou Eliwlod my nephew?
Eagle
Arthur audacious in the onset,
If I be Eliwlod
Am I a good connection of thine?
Arthur
Eagle, untreacherous in discourse,
If thou art Eliwlod,
Was the battle-slaughter good around thee?
Eagle
Arthur, audacious in answering,
Before whose face no enemy standeth,
From death there is no escape.
Arthur
Eagle, undisguised of speech,
No one could through war
Bring thee to life again.
Eagle
Arthur, dignitaiy among the generous,
If the words of the canon shall be believed.
With God contention is not good.
Arthur
Eagle clear of speech,
Wilt thou say unto Arthur
What thing is evil for him to do?
Eagle
To purpose evil with premeditation,
And to abide long in the purpose,
Is called sin and failure.
Arthur
Eagle, most wise in discourse,
Of thyself will I enquire,
How shall I attain to God's approbation?
Eagle
To love God with righteous mind,
And ask upright requests,
Procures heaven and the mundane gift.
Arthur
Eagle, veracious in declaring,
If it be correct, I will ask thee,
Is the praising of him good in Christ's sight?
Eagle
Arthur, thou art the most mighty.
On the tower I will expect the excellent hero.
Let evety spirit praise its Lord.
Arthur
Eagle of serene existence,
Without intrusion I will ask thee.
Who doth the spirit say is nearest?
Eagle
Arthur, restless with blades,
Who has fallen by the pain of thy blood-sheddings,
Christ it is, whose faith is not concerning falsehoods.
Arthur
Eagle speaking words of acknowledgment
I will ask, the while I cry out,
What is the course to seek for heaven?
Eagle
Repentance for perverseness,
And to hope for mercy.
This procureth peace.
Arthur
Eagle not ungracious in speech.
Declare thou with clearness
What thing it is evil to do.
Arthur
Eagle sincere of speech,
Of thyself it shall be asked,
When is not the mighty possessor of the earth?
Eagle
Arthur, exalted gwyddva,
Not to lose God or the Alpha
Is the summit of mightiness.
Arthur
Eagle, certain in thy speech,
I will question thee on thy words:
Except that I myself am mighty.
Eagle
Arthur head of the battles of Cornwall,
Exalted one, acute-edged of shape,
None is mighty excepting God.
Arthur
Eagle of intricate speech,
I will ask thee without trifling,
What doeth God with [my] retinue?
Eagle
If the retinue be sincere to worship,
If uptight in praying together,
God will not give hell to them.
Arthur
Eagle of speech, dismal as the grave,
I will ask thee in my mightiness,
Who shall give judgment in the doomsday?
Eagle
Arthur, exalted gwyddva.
Sacred enigma of the divided-place,
God himself shall judge.
Arthur
Eagle of celestial destiny,
Hast thou not obtained to see
What Christ doeth to those who believe?
Eagle
Arthur, gwyddva of gladness.
With thy host thou wert a complete huntsman,
Thy self shall know the judgment-day.
Arthur
Eagle, with the speech of ... ... ...
I will ask of thee the owner ot hosts,
What shall the judgment-day do to the Gentiles?
Eagle
Arthur, exalted switly-moving lamp,
Whose pure innocency is gash-extinguish'd.
There shall each one know his place.
Arthur
Eagle, not fitter in discourse,
I will ask of thee without offence,
Is it good for the sun to obtain service?
Eagle
If thou seekest to have the service of the sun.
And favour with God afterwards.
Blessed art thou by reason thereof.
Arthur
Eagle condescending in discourse,
By the Concealed-God I will ask thee.
What shall be mine, if I shall be without it?
Eagle
If thou wilt have unveiled discourse,
Thou art the sun, saith Necessity. saith Destiny,
Until the other sun of no illusory lustre.
Arthur
Eagle of very notable discourse,
I will ask thee in all security,
What is the course for the soul?
Eagle
The Pater and prayers,
And fasting and charities,
And calmness of the soul until death.
From Jes. 3, a 16th century manuscript, Norris J. Lacy holds it to be a much older poem than that. It originally appeared in
Britannia After the Romans, by Algernon Herbert. Henry Bohn Co., 1836.